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Himalayas’fragility amid climate shifts in focus at Garhwal univ conclave

A 2023 report by the Centre for Science and Environment said Uttarakhand recorded 388 extreme weather events between 2010 and 2022. Dehradun: A three-day international conference on climate resilience and environmental fragility began at Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University's Chauras campus on Saturday, with geographers and scholars from across India and abroad deliberating on the impact of climate change and strategies for sustainable development in the Himalayan region. The event marked the 46th annual meet of the Institute of Indian Geographers (IIG) and was inaugurated by higher education minister Dhan Singh Rawat and Padmashree awardee and environmentalist Dr Anil Joshi. The conference, themed "Dynamic Earth, Fragile Environment and Path to Climate-Resilient Society, " saw participation from experts in the fields of earth sciences, environmental studies and climate justice. Rawat said, "Climate change is becoming a serious issue worldwide, requiring scientists to think seriously about it and work in this direction. In addition, a centre for disaster management studies will soon be opened at Garhwal University. This will enable research students here to conduct disaster-related research and easily understand the geographical ecology of Uttarakhand." Joshi pointed to the ecological cost of unchecked development. "Development cannot be denied, but in this race for development, we have usurped others' homes to build our own, devastating our ecosystem. Earth's temperature is rising due to ongoing climate change. The Himalayan regions are bearing the brunt of this impact, but the day is not far when its impact will reach the plains. Therefore, awareness is still needed, " he said. Organisers said the conference could play a significant role in mobilising action to protect the fragile Himalayan ecosystem. In addition to IIG members, faculty and researchers from institutions such as Delhi University, Jamia Millia Islamia and HNB Garhwal University participated in the symposium. Over 25 themes are being covered through lectures and panel discussions, adding to the global academic significance of the event. Sessions focused on topics such as ecological instability, earth system dynamics, climate justice and disaster preparedness. Special discussions were held on Uttarakhand's deteriorating geographical ecology, particularly in light of the state's increasing vulnerability to natural disasters. A 2023 report by the Centre for Science and Environment said Uttarakhand recorded 388 extreme weather events between 2010 and 2022. Experts at the conference stressed the need for region-specific environmental policies and improved resilience infrastructure to protect both people and ecosystems in the hill states.

Stubble Burning Smoke Under 2% So Far, Vehicles Are Delhi’s Biggest Polluters: Experts | Interview

Despite the ongoing debate over stubble burning and firecrackers, it is Delhi’s ever-growing vehicular pollution which is driving nearly 40 per cent of the city’s toxic air, according to experts, as the national capital remained enveloped in toxic haze with Air Quality Index (AQI) still under ‘very poor’ levels. In an exclusive interview with CNN-News18, Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director, Centre for Science & Environment (CSE), New Delhi, highlighted that the city’s local combustion sources are to blame for the city’s air pollution not just during winter, but all year round. “It is so clear, and we know this so well from detailed studies in the past, that combustion sources – industries, vehicles, open waste burning are major contributors to Delhi-NCR’s pollution. Even though, quite a substantive part of pollution comes from surrounding areas, but in terms of local sources, vehicles are at the top – responsible for almost half of the total pollution load," said Roychowdhury who has also worked extensively to build the campaign on Right to Clean Air.

Delhi gears up for first artificial rain on October 29 to combat toxic air quality

“Cloud seeding can offer short-term relief, but it’s a band-aid solution. We need systemic measures like stricter emission norms and regional cooperation to tackle stubble burning,” said Sunita Narain, director of the Centre for Science and Environment. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced on Thursday that the national capital is set to experience its first artificial rain on October 29, as preparations for cloud seeding have been successfully completed. The move comes as a response to escalating concerns over Delhi’s deteriorating air quality, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching hazardous levels following Diwali celebrations. In a post on X, Gupta revealed that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted favorable cloud conditions between October 28 and 30. “Preparations have been completed for the first time in Delhi to induce artificial rain through cloud seeding. Today, experts successfully tested the technology in the Burari area. If conditions remain favorable, Delhi will experience its first artificial rain on October 29,” she stated. The announcement follows weeks of public outcry over Delhi’s toxic air, with AQI levels consistently exceeding 400 in several areas post-Diwali, categorizing the air as “severe” and prompting health warnings. Cloud seeding, a weather modification technique, involves injecting clouds with substances like silver iodide, potassium iodide, dry ice, or salts to enhance precipitation. In Delhi’s case, the process will use aircraft to disperse these particles into clouds, mimicking ice nuclei to trigger rain formation. According to experts, cloud seeding enhances a cloud’s ability to form ice crystals, which can fall as snow or melt into rain depending on atmospheric temperatures. The amount of rainfall depends on the presence of ice nuclei and available moisture in the clouds. The successful test in Burari has raised hopes that the technique could provide temporary relief by washing pollutants out of the air. Recent updates indicate that the Delhi government has collaborated with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur and a private weather modification firm to execute the cloud seeding project. The initiative, costing an estimated ₹10 crore, has been fast-tracked due to public health concerns. However, experts caution that while artificial rain may reduce particulate matter temporarily, it is not a long-term solution to Delhi’s chronic air pollution crisis, driven by vehicular emissions, industrial activity, and stubble burning in neighboring states. Environmentalists have mixed reactions. While some welcome the innovative approach, others argue that cloud seeding’s environmental impact, including the use of chemicals like silver iodide, requires further scrutiny. “Cloud seeding can offer short-term relief, but it’s a band-aid solution. We need systemic measures like stricter emission norms and regional cooperation to tackle stubble burning,” said Sunita Narain, director of the Centre for Science and Environment. The IMD has warned that the success of the October 29 cloud seeding depends on weather conditions, including sufficient cloud cover and humidity. If successful, Delhi could see light to moderate rainfall, potentially lowering AQI levels temporarily. The government has also urged residents to stay indoors during peak pollution hours and follow health advisories. As Delhi braces for its first artificial rain, all eyes are on the skies, with hopes that this experimental measure will provide a breath of fresh air to a city choking under a toxic haze. (ILKHA)

Air quality in Gurgaon better, but may worsen again over weekend

: For a brief moment on Thursday, city residents could breathe a little easier. The city's average air quality index (AQI) dropped to 208, down from 281 the previous day, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The improvement, however, is only a temporary reprieve. The air will remain in the ‘poor' category — still dangerous for children, the elderly, and anyone with respiratory issues. Officials said the short-lived relief was due to stronger surface winds and clearer skies, which helped disperse some of the lingering pollutants. However, meteorologists warned that this window would close quickly. By the weekend, wind speeds are expected to fall, slowing the natural cleansing of the atmosphere and allowing pollution to build up once again. "The brief improvement is meteorological, not structural. Unless Gurgaon tackles its local emission sources — dust from construction, vehicular exhaust, and open waste burning — AQI will keep bouncing up and down until stronger winter winds arrive, " said Shubhansh Tiwari, a research associate at the Centre for Science and Environment.

Reality Check: Delhi's air quality stations riddled with faulty displays, dead monitors

As Delhi continues to choke on toxic air, India Today’s ground investigation across multiple air quality monitoring stations has uncovered widespread negligence, from malfunctioning display boards and questionable placement of sensors to discrepancies between on-ground readings and official data. While the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) official claimed all 39 of Delhi’s air monitoring stations are functional, reality on the ground paints a very different picture. Across the city, from Narela to Shahdara and Punjabi Bagh to RK Puram, several display boards meant to inform the public about local pollution levels were either defunct, hidden, or placed amid greenery. NARELA: CLEAN AIR AMID GREENERY In outer Delhi’s Narela, the air quality monitoring station has been installed inside the ITI campus — surrounded by dense greenery. The display board here is non-functional, and what’s more, an anti-smog gun was found operating right in front of the station during India Today’s visit. ITI students said the display board was unreadable, leaving residents with no way to see live data. "It has been over two months and the board has been like this," one ITI student said. Another added that they rely on media for AQI data. MCD staffer Dayachand was overseeing the cleaning work and sprinkling in the area. He admitted that cleaning around the site had intensified “a day or two ago.” The continuous cleaning was keeping dust levels abnormally low around the station. When asked about monitoring units being placed among dense greenery, Dayachand made it clear that he was from the sanitation department and the monitoring station was the responsibility of another department. AYA NAGAR: AQI DISPLAY DEAD FOR 18 MONTHS At Aya Nagar, the air quality display machine outside the IMD office has been defunct for one and a half years. A local guard confirmed on camera that “the machine has been off for the last 18 months.” While he claimed that indoor instruments inside the office were still working, public access was prohibited. India Today found that several such AQI stations across Delhi had display boards either switched off or malfunctioning. In a city where pollution levels routinely breach hazardous limits, such prolonged inaction by responsible departments raises serious questions about accountability. RK PURAM: BOARD HIDDEN AND DEFUNCT In RK Puram, the AQI display board installed on the rooftop of Kendriya Vidyalaya has been off since Diwali. Even when operational, the board is almost invisible — placed behind thick tree cover and about 50 metres from the main road. Meanwhile, Mohan P. George, former senior scientist with DPCC and now a consultant on clean air and sustainable mobility at the Centre for Science and Environment, explained the ideal standards for AQI monitoring.

Indonesia Urged to Learn from India’s Public Transport Electrification

Esposin, SOLO – The Indian government is working to align technology and mobility pathways to achieve clean air, including through the electrification of public transport. Some of the recommendations that could be considered by the Indonesian government include mass transport electrification. Director of Research and Advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), India, Anumita Roychowdhury, said there are several aspects of India’s transportation system that the Indonesian government could learn from. She said that, as of today, India has around 10,000 electric buses and aims to reach 50,000 units in the near future. Anumita stated that factors contributing to heat exhaustion and global warming include the extensive use of air conditioners, industrial activities, and vehicle emissions. “We are looking into the transport sector for the zero-emission transition. Now, India is already on that path. Jakarta, Indonesia, already has an electric vehicle policy. They are evolving in that direction,” said Anumita during an online webinar titled Voice of Tomorrow on Saturday, October 18, 2025.

Poison air cocktail: Ozone gives way to PM2.5, PM10 post Diwali in Delhi

As Delhi grapples with its annual pollution crisis, a subtle but significant shift has occurred in the cocktail of pollutants that cloud its skies. Through most of October, the Capital’s air has transformed – from being dominated by photochemical pollutants like ozone (O3) and carbon monoxide (CO) in the first 19 days to particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) in the past four days. The change, experts said, points to a sharp rise in combustion-driven emissions – primarily firecrackers, and aided by emissions from vehicles, industries, and local burning – that now define the city’s toxic air. Between October 1 and 19, data from Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) Sameer app showed that ground-level ozone was the primary pollutant on 12 of the 19 days, with CO and NO2 also contributing significantly to the overall air quality index (AQI). Ozone, a secondary pollutant, is not directly emitted but formed when nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from vehicles, factories, and power plants react in bright sunlight. CO, meanwhile, is a direct byproduct of incomplete combustion from similar sources. In the first 19 days, Delhi’s skies were clearer, the air was occasionally washed by light rain, and sunlight was abundant – ideal conditions for ozone formation. The city even recorded AQI reading of “satisfactory” on four days in this spell – on October 3 (88), October 7 (73), October 8 (81) and October 9 (100). But the chemistry of Delhi’s air changed dramatically – particularly with the onset of Diwali. From October 20 onward, ozone and CO disappeared from the AQI charts, replaced by particulate matter – tiny, hazardous particles that penetrate deep into the lungs. Since then, PM10 was the lead pollutant on October 20, 22 and 23. To be sure, the Capital’s AQI has remained in the “very poor” category for four consecutive days since October 20. On Thursday, it stood at 305, marginally lower than Wednesday’s 353 but still chokingly high. Overall, CPCB data shows a nearly 300-point swing this month – from 73 at the start of October to a peak of 353 as firecrackers and stagnant air combined to trap pollutants over the city. CPCB calculates sub-indices for eight individual pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3, NH3, and Pb) at a monitoring location using its 24-hourly average concentration value (8-hourly in case of CO and O3). The worst sub-index is the AQI for that location. The overall average AQI is calculated by considering data for all stations, with a minimum data of three pollutants, out of which one should necessarily be either PM2.5 or PM10. CPCB classifies AQI between 0-50 as “good”, between 51 and 100 as “satisfactory”, between 101 and 200 as “moderate”, between 201 and 300 as “poor”, between 301 and 400 as “very poor”, and over 400 as “severe”. “The first half of the month was dominated with some rain, but also ample sunshine. Gases like ozone form when combustion sources like vehicles and emissions from industries combine with volatile organic compounds under sunlight. If O3 and CO were lead pollutants, it means that the impact of external combustion sources was minimal,” said Sunil Dahiya, stating with rains stopping, the air has become drier and a drop in wind speed had led to accumulation of both local sources and cross-boundary emissions. “Emissions from vehicles, industries and waste burning have begun to shoot up, leading to PM 2.5 and PM 10 rising. There is also dust, which leads to a spike in PM 10. However, from October 20, we have been seeing regular bursting of firecrackers, which is the primary combustion source at the moment,” Dahiya said. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of research and advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), said the transition was inevitable. “Combustion sources always dominate Delhi’s air, except in peak summer when dust plays a bigger role,” she said. “In the first half of October, rainfall helped settle particulate matter, allowing gases like ozone and CO to dominate. But once the weather turned dry and calm, particulates rose sharply. Add to that vehicles, industries, and the early burst of firecrackers, and you get the pollution mix we’re seeing now.”

CSE की रिपोर्ट में खुलासा! मां के गर्भ से ही बच्चों पर प्रदूषण का हमला...इन बीमारियों का मंडरा रहा है खतरा

प्रदूषण का असर सिर्फ जन्म तक सीमित नहीं रहता. ये बच्चों पर जिंदगी भर बीमारियों का बोझ डालता है. CSE की रिपोर्ट बताती है कि गर्भ में प्रदूषण का सामना करने वाले बच्चे बाद में कई गंभीर स्वास्थ्य समस्याओं का शिकार होते हैं. Air pollution impact unborn children india cse report : सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (CSE) की एक रिपोर्ट ने आंखें खोल देने वाली चेतावनी दी है, जिसके मुताबिक, वायु प्रदूषण मां के गर्भ से ही बच्चे के स्वास्थ्य को खतरे में डाल रहा है. जब एक गर्भवती मां प्रदूषित हवा में सांस लेती है, तो हवा में मौजूद छोटे, जहरीले कण (धूल और धुआं) उसके शरीर से होते हुए बच्चे तक पहुंच जाते हैं. विज्ञान साफ कहता है कि इन कणों की वजह से मां के फेफड़े प्रभावित होते हैं. इसका सीधा मतलब है कि बच्चे को सही मात्रा में ऑक्सीजन और जरूरी पोषक तत्व नहीं मिल पाते. इसका नतीजा बेहद खतरनाक होता है. मुख्य रूप से तीन बड़ी समस्याएं सामने आती हैं- बच्चा गर्भ (Stillbirth) में ही दम तोड़ देता है. बच्चा समय से पहले पैदा (Preterm Birth) हो जाता है, जो बहुत कमजोर होता है. बच्चा छोटा और कमजोर पैदा (Low Birth Weight) होता है, जिससे वह बीमारियों से ठीक से लड़ नहीं पाता. जीवन भर का बोझ प्रदूषण का असर सिर्फ जन्म तक सीमित नहीं रहता. ये बच्चों पर जिंदगी भर बीमारियों का बोझ डालता है. CSE की रिपोर्ट बताती है कि गर्भ में प्रदूषण का सामना करने वाले बच्चे बाद में कई गंभीर स्वास्थ्य समस्याओं का शिकार होते हैं. फेफड़े कमजोर बच्चों के फेफड़े ठीक से विकसित नहीं हो पाते, जिससे आगे चलकर सांस की बीमारियां होती हैं. दिमाग का विकास रुकना सबसे चिंताजनक बात यह है कि प्रदूषण बच्चे के दिमागी विकास को रोक देता है. इससे बच्चों में ध्यान की कमी (ADHD) और कम बुद्धिमत्ता (Low IQ) जैसी समस्याएं पैदा होती हैं. डायबिटीज और मोटापा ये बच्चों में हार्मोन और पाचन संबंधी बीमारियां (जैसे डायबिटीज) भी पैदा करता है, जो बड़े होने पर भी पीछा नहीं छोड़तीं. 5 से कम उम्र के बच्चों पर तो इसका असर और भी गहरा होता है, क्योंकि उनके फेफड़े और शरीर के बाकी अंग अभी बन ही रहे होते हैं. अगर हम भारत की बात करें, तो स्थिति बेहद गंभीर है. रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक, दुनिया के एक-चौथाई (25%) नवजात शिशु पहले महीने में ही मर जाते हैं, और इसका सबसे बड़ा कारण प्रदूषण है, जिसकी शुरुआत गर्भ से ही हो जाती है. हम 'ग्लोबल साउथ' (विकासशील देश) में रहते हैं, जहां गाड़ियों, उद्योगों और जलावन के धुएं ने हवा को जहरीला बना दिया है.गरीब परिवारो ंके लिए ज्यादा बड़ा खतरा गरीब परिवारों के लिए यह खतरा दोगुना है. उनके पास न अच्छा इलाज होता है, न ही साफ हवा या पानी. उनके बच्चे अक्सर खुली, प्रदूषित हवा में खेलते हैं, जिससे उनका नुकसान बढ़ जाता है. क्या करें? वैज्ञानिकों और सरकारों ने साफ चेतावनी दी है कि यह एक महामारी जैसा संकट है. हमें अब सिर्फ वयस्कों को बचाने के बारे में नहीं सोचना है, बल्कि उन बच्चों के लिए भी लड़ना है जो अभी दुनिया में आए भी नहीं हैं. ऐसे में हमें साफ हवा के लिए बड़े कदम उठाने होंगे, क्योंकि यह सिर्फ सांस की बीमारी नहीं, बल्कि हमारे बच्चों के भविष्य, उनके दिमाग और उनकी पूरी जिंदगी का सवाल है.

दिल्ली का AQI कितना है-300 या 1000? खुद को बचाने के लिए करें ये उपाय

350 vs 1,100 Delhi AQI : दिल्ली में दीवाली के बाद प्रदूषण के हालात किसी से छिपे नहीं हैं, लेकिन इसे नापने वाले आंकड़ों में एक बड़ा कन्फ्यूजन पैदा हो गया. एक तरफ, स्विट्जरलैंड की हवा की गुणवत्ता पर नजर रखने वाली कंपनी IQAir ने मंगलवार को दिल्ली का एयर क्वालिटी इंडेक्स (AQI) 1,121 बताया, जो बेहद चौंकाने वाला नंबर था. वहीं, भारत सरकार की संस्था, सेंट्रल पॉल्यूशन कंट्रोल बोर्ड (CPCB) ने इसी दिन AQI 351 दर्ज किया, जो 'बहुत खराब' (Very Poor) कैटेगरी में आता है. अब सवाल यह है कि जब हवा एक ही है, तो आंकड़े इतने अलग-अलग क्यों? एक्सपर्ट्स का कहना है कि दोनों ही आंकड़े अपनी-अपनी जगह पर सही हैं, लेकिन इसके पीछे वजह अलग-अलग हैं. आइए, ‘नंबरों के खेल' को समझते हैं. पहले समझते हैं AQI क्या है AQI यानी एयर क्वालिटी इंडेक्स, एक ऐसा पब्लिक हेल्थ टूल है जो हमें बताता है कि हवा कितनी साफ या गंदी है. इसमें 8 तरह के प्रदूषक तत्वों (जैसे PM2.5, PM10, ओजोन, सल्फर डाइऑक्साइड) को नापा जाता है. इस बारे में CPCB के पूर्व एडिशनल डायरेक्टर, मोहन जॉर्ज समझाते हैं कि AQI को अलग-अलग कलर कोड में बांटा जाता है, ताकि आम आदमी समझ सके कि हवा 'अच्छी' है, 'संतोषजनक' है या 'खतरनाक' है, और उसे क्या करना चाहिए. जैसे, अगर AQI 401 से 500 के बीच है, जिसे 'गंभीर' (Severe) कैटेगरी कहते हैं, तो यह हेल्दी लोगों के लिए भी खतरनाक है और ऐसे में घर से बाहर निकलना या खुली हवा में कसरत करना बिल्कुल मना है. CPCB और IQAir की AQI स्केल की सीमा क्या है CPCB का स्केल भारत का AQI स्केल 500 पर जाकर रुक जाता है. इसका मतलब है कि CPCB के हिसाब से AQI अगर 500 से ऊपर चला जाए, तो भी उसे 500 की 'गंभीर' (Severe) कैटेगरी में ही रखा जाएगा. 500 के ऊपर, सरकार इसे 'पब्लिक हेल्थ इमरजेंसी' मानती है. IQAir का स्केल वहीं, IQAir ने अपनी कोई अधिकतम सीमा तय नहीं की है. उनका स्केल 301 से ऊपर की हर रीडिंग को 'खतरनाक' (Hazardous) मानता है, लेकिन यह 1,000 या 2,000 तक भी जा सकता है. इसीलिए जब प्रदूषण बहुत ज्यादा बढ़ता है, तो IQAir का नंबर CPCB से कई गुना ज्यादा दिखता है, जैसे 1,121. यानी, CPCB का 500 पर कैप बंद हो जाता है, जबकि IQAir का नंबर खुला रहता है. डेटा कहां से आता है? नंबरों में अंतर की दूसरी बड़ी वजह है- डेटा कहां से लिया जा रहा है. CPCB यह सिर्फ सरकारी मॉनिटरिंग स्टेशनों से डेटा लेता है. ये स्टेशन 'रेफरेंस-ग्रेड' (Reference-grade) मॉनिटर कहलाते हैं, जिनका डेटा बहुत भरोसेमंद और कैलिब्रेटेड माना जाता है. IQAir यह सरकारी स्रोतों के अलावा और भी कई जगहों से डेटा लेता है. इसमें US एम्बेसी (Embassy) के स्टेशन, दूसरी कंपनियों के सेंसर और यहां तक कि कुछ लोगों द्वारा लगाए गए सेंसर भी शामिल होते हैं. IQAir इन सभी स्टेशनों के डेटा का एवरेज निकालता है. Envirocatalysts के संस्थापक सुनील दहिया के मुताबिक, इस वजह से भी उनके नंबर में बदलाव आ जाता है. AQI निकालने का फॉर्मूला CPCB और IQAir दोनों का AQI निकालने का फॉर्मूला भी अलग है. उदाहरण के लिए, अगर हवा में PM2.5 की मात्रा 1,100 माइक्रोग्राम प्रति क्यूबिक मीटर है, तो IQAir का कैलकुलेटर इसे 2,043 बताएगा, जबकि CPCB का कैलकुलेटर इसे 1,054 बताएगा, जिसे अंत में CPCB 500 पर 'कैप' कर देता है. CPCB और IQAir में से किसका डेटा सही है सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट के मोहन जॉर्ज सलाह देते हैं कि आपको नंबरों के फेर में नहीं पड़ना चाहिए. बस लेबल देखिए. चाहे CPCB के अनुसार AQI 351 हो या IQAir के हिसाब से 1,121 हो, दोनों ही मामलों में दिल्ली की हवा जहरीली है. इसलिए, नंबर की जगह आप 'गंभीर' (Severe) या 'खतरनाक' (Hazardous) जैसे लेबल पर ध्यान दें, या फिर प्रदूषण की असल मात्रा (जैसे PM2.5 की कंसंट्रेशन) पर नजर रखें और उसके हिसाब से अपनी सेहत का ख्याल रखें. अब आइए जानते हैं इस जहरीली हवा से खुद को सुरक्षित कैसे रखें क्‍या करें, क्‍या न करें N95 मास्क पहनकर हानिकारक कणों से बचें. अस्थमा या अन्य सांस से जुड़ी परेशानियों से पीड़ित लोगों बाहर निकलने की गलती बिल्कुल न करें, स्थिति गंभीर हो सकती है. जब हवा खराब हो, तो घर में रहें. घर की साफ सफाई का विशेष ध्यान रखें, धूल जमा न होने दें. SAFAR या AQI India ऐप्स से हवा की गुणवत्ता की जानकारी लेते रहें. बच्चों और बुजुर्गों का विशेष ध्यान रखें खराब हवा में बाहर न जाएं, घर में ही योग या हल्की एक्सरसाइज करें. घर में एयर प्यूरीफायर लगाकर हवा को साफ करें. खराब AQI के समय घर के दरवाजे और खिड़कियां बंद रखें.

Rajasthan High Court Orders FSSAI to Frame Regulations on Genetically Modified Foods, Citing Right to Safe Food under Article 21

In a decision with far-reaching implications for India’s food safety regime, the Rajasthan High Court in Kritesh Oswal & Ors. v. Union of India & Ors.[1] directed the Central Government and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to urgently frame and notify regulations governing genetically modified (GM) foods under Section 22 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The Division Bench held that the absence of such regulations has created a regulatory vacuum posing risks to public health and violating the fundamental right to life and health under Article 21. The Court observed that despite India’s commitments under international biosafety conventions, GM food continues to enter the market without proper safety standards or oversight. Reaffirming the State’s duty under Article 47 to ensure safe nutrition, the Court’s ruling highlights that food security cannot come at the cost of food safety, and that scientific progress must align with constitutional values and the precautionary principle. The petition highlighted findings from the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) indicating the presence of GM ingredients in Indian food products and relied on parliamentary replies acknowledging that no standards for GM foods had been framed by FSSAI. The petitioners also pointed out that the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 had continued to grant approvals for import of GM foods even after being divested of such authority through a 2007 exemption notification. In response, the Union of India and FSSAI admitted that while draft GM Food Regulations, 2022 had been published, they were yet to be finalized and notified. The respondents maintained that GEAC approvals were earlier granted under temporary abeyance notifications but have since lapsed.

गुरुग्राम में हवा की गुणवत्ता में सुधार, लेकिन स्थिति गंभीर बनी हुई है

गुरुग्राम में हवा की गुणवत्ता में आई मामूली सी राहत के बावजूद, शहरवासी अभी भी 'खराब' श्रेणी की हवा में सांस लेने को मजबूर हैं। गुरुवार को एयर क्वालिटी इंडेक्स (AQI) 281 से घटकर 208 पर आ गया, लेकिन यह सिर्फ एक अस्थायी सुधार है। विशेषज्ञों का कहना है कि यह राहत तेज हवाओं और साफ आसमान के कारण मिली है, जिसने प्रदूषण को कुछ हद तक फैला दिया। हालांकि, यह स्थिति जल्द ही बदलने वाली है। सप्ताहांत तक हवा की गति धीमी होने की उम्मीद है, जिससे प्रदूषण फिर से बढ़ने लगेगा और हवा की गुणवत्ता 'बहुत खराब' श्रेणी में जा सकती है। गुरुग्राम में गुरुवार को हवा की गुणवत्ता में थोड़ी सी नरमी देखी गई। सेंट्रल पॉल्यूशन कंट्रोल बोर्ड (CPCB) के अनुसार, शहर का औसत एयर क्वालिटी इंडेक्स (AQI) एक दिन पहले 281 से घटकर 208 पर आ गया। यह राहत कुछ घंटों के लिए ही थी। हवा अभी भी 'खराब' श्रेणी में है, जो बच्चों, बुजुर्गों और सांस की बीमारियों से पीड़ित लोगों के लिए खतरनाक है। अधिकारियों का कहना है कि यह अस्थायी सुधार तेज सतही हवाओं और साफ आसमान के कारण हुआ, जिसने कुछ प्रदूषण को फैलाने में मदद की। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट के एक शोध सहयोगी शुभान्श तिवारी ने कहा, "यह संक्षिप्त सुधार मौसम संबंधी है, संरचनात्मक नहीं। जब तक गुरुग्राम अपने स्थानीय उत्सर्जन स्रोतों - निर्माण स्थलों से धूल, वाहनों का धुआं और खुले में कचरा जलाने जैसी समस्याओं से नहीं निपटता, तब तक AQI तब तक ऊपर-नीचे होता रहेगा जब तक कि मजबूत सर्दियों की हवाएं नहीं आ जातीं।"

Worst PM2.5 levels since January: What is cloud seeding? Can it help with Delhi's pollution?

Delhi recorded its worst PM2.5 levels of the year on Diwali and the day after, with pollution continuing to blanket the city well into midweek, according to a new analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). Despite attempts to control emissions, several neighbourhoods reported hazardous air quality levels, crossing both national and global safety limits by staggering margins. The CREA study found that Delhi’s average PM2.5 concentration stood at 228 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³) on Diwali and rose further to 241 µg/m³ the following day — levels seen only four times this year, all in January. The capital ranked as the seventh most polluted city in the country on Tuesday, trailing Haryana’s Jind (412), Dharuhera (298), Gurgaon (290), Narnaul (266), Bahadurgarh (247), and Rajasthan’s Bhiwadi (244). Rohtak (223), Noida (218) and Ghaziabad (207) rounded off the top ten. In some areas, the pollution levels were off the charts. At Nehru Nagar, hourly PM2.5 concentration skyrocketed from 679 µg/m³ at 9pm on Diwali to an alarming 1,763 µg/m³ at 10pm — 29 times the national ambient air quality standard and 118 times the WHO’s daily safe guideline of 15 µg/m³. Fourteen of the 20 Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) monitoring stations reported hourly PM2.5 levels above 1,000 on Diwali night, compared to only five the previous year. Delhi pollution levels 4x the safe limit “However, the AQI levels appear lower than reality because several CAAQMS stations maxed out or recorded missing values. This reminds us to interpret data cautiously and recognise that pollutant concentrations might have exceeded the instruments’ detection limits. For instance, Anand Vihar reported missing data from 11pm on 20 Oct to 3pm the next day, a window when Diwali pollution typically peaks, suggesting concentrations went beyond the measurable range,” said Manoj Kumar, analyst, CREA. Two days after Diwali, areas such as Anand Vihar continued to record dangerous pollution levels, with hourly PM2.5 at 579 µg/m³ — a slight improvement from 656 µg/m³ a day earlier. Health experts have warned that prolonged exposure to such fine particulate matter can have serious consequences. “These particles (PM2.5) are so small they can easily enter the bloodstream and impact different organs in the body, leading to toxic effects. The tinier the particle, the greater the health risk,” said Anumita Roy Chowdhury, executive director, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). As the capital struggles under its annual smog blanket, attention has again turned to possible solutions — including the much-debated idea of cloud seeding. Cloud seeding: What it means and if it can help Yesterday, Delhi officials said the city was ready for artificial rain. Today, the plan is uncertain again. Amid these flip-flops, experts are questioning whether cloud seeding can really solve the capital’s pollution crisis. How Cloud Seeding works Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique that involves releasing chemicals such as silver iodide (AgI) or salt particles into clouds to induce rainfall. These particles act as nuclei, allowing moisture to condense into ice crystals which can then melt into raindrops. Aircraft usually disperse the seeding material depending on the humidity and temperature levels. Why the idea is on the table Artificial rain is being considered as a way to temporarily wash pollutants out of the air during Delhi’s pollution season, driven by: Vehicular and industrial emissions Open area dust Biomass and waste burning Stubble burning and stagnant winter air By inducing rain, suspended particles could be removed from the atmosphere for a short duration. The science and its limitations While the technique has been used globally — from China and the UAE to Indonesia and Malaysia — experts remain sceptical about its effectiveness in Delhi’s dry winter conditions. Cloud seeding requires moist, dense clouds like nimbostratus, which are rare over north India during this period. The western disturbances that pass over the region often bring high or short-lived clouds, unsuited for seeding, and any rain that does form may evaporate before reaching the ground. Global experience and history 1931 – First experiments using dry ice (CO₂) for cloud seeding in Europe. 1946-47 – GE scientists Schaefer & Vonnegut identify silver iodide as an effective ice nucleant. Modern usage: Countries like China, UAE, Indonesia and Malaysia use cloud seeding for agriculture, pollution control and event planning. 2023 – Pakistan conducts its first artificial rain operation in Lahore with UAE assistance. Experts advise caution The India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) have all warned that the method may have limited impact in Delhi’s climate. They have also raised questions about the chemical and environmental implications of silver iodide dispersal. For now, experts say that while cloud seeding may offer temporary respite, it cannot replace long-term measures to curb emissions — from reducing vehicular and industrial output to controlling crop residue burning.

Hold Your Breath! Annual Punishment Begins

New Delhi: On Diwali and the day after, the capital recorded its worst PM2.5 levels of the year since Jan, analysis shows. Even on Wednesday, two days after the festival, some of its areas continued to choke on exponentially high particulate pollution. According to a study by Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), the city had an average PM2.5 concentration of 228 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³) on Diwali and 241 the next day. It was only on four days in Jan this year that PM2.5 had crossed these levels. The analysis also showed that Delhi on Tuesday was the seventh most polluted city in the country, behind Haryana's Jind (412), Dharuhera (298), Gurgaon (290), Narnaul (266), Bahadurgarh (247), and Rajasthan's Bhiwadi (244). Rohtak (223), Noida (218) and Ghaziabad (207) made up the worst 10. On Diwali, the hourly PM2.5 concentration at some places of Delhi went off the charts, with that in Nehru Nagar surging from 679 µg/m³ at 9pm to a staggering 1,763 at 10pm — 29 times the daily national ambient air quality standard and 118 times WHO's daily safe guideline of 15. The situation was mirrored at several other areas on Diwali night, with 14 out of 20 DPCC monitored stations surpassing the hourly PM2.5 concentration of 1,000, against only five stations on Diwali last year. "However, the AQI levels appear lower than reality because several CAAQMS stations maxed out or recorded missing values. This reminds us to interpret data cautiously and recognise that pollutant concentrations might have exceeded the instruments' detection limits. For instance, Anand Vihar reported missing data from 11pm on 20 Oct to 3pm the next day, a window when Diwali pollution typically peaks, suggesting concentrations went beyond the measurable range," said Manoj Kumar, analyst, CREA. Even two days after Diwali, areas like Anand Vihar showed hourly PM2.5 levels of 579 µg/m³, still high but a slight improvement over the peak particulate pollution of 656 a day earlier. According to experts, as pollutants turn finer, health risks increase. "These particles (PM2.5) are so small they can easily enter the bloodstream and impact different organs in the body, leading to toxic effects. The tinier the particle, the greater the health risk," said Anumita Roy Chowdhury, executive director, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).

AQI improves, wind set to keep airshed ventilated, prevent pollution spike in Gurgaon

The city's air quality showed a marked improvement on Wednesday, falling to 281 (poor) from 370 (very poor) a day earlier, thanks to stronger northwesterly winds that helped disperse pollutants lingering in the airshed since Diwali. According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), the improvement was driven by a temporary increase in wind speed, which helped clear the haze that blanketed the city after the festival that saw people burst crackers across the city much beyond the two-hour evening window set by Supreme Court. The wind is expected to pick up again in the afternoon on Thursday, reaching speeds of around 12 kmph from the northwest, before dropping below 10 kmph by evening as it shifts to a northerly direction. Meteorologists said smog or shallow fog is likely to form during the morning hours, giving way to clearer skies with light mist or haze later in the day. The maximum temperature is expected to hover between 32°C and 34°C, while the minimum will remain around 18°C to 20°C, about one to two degrees above normal for this time of the year. IMD data also showed that the ventilation index, which measures the atmosphere's ability to disperse pollutants, is likely to remain moderate over the next few days. The index stood at 12,500 on Tuesday but is expected to fall to 9,000 on Thursday and 6,000 on Friday. Experts consider values below 6,000, combined with wind speeds under 10 kmph, as unfavourable for pollution dispersion. Shubhansh Tiwari, research associate at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), said, "The improvement in air quality reflects a combination of favourable meteorological factors. The gain in AQI is mainly because long-range pollutants stayed low, stubble burning has not picked up significantly yet, and the wind pattern has remained steady, allowing better horizontal dispersion. The mixing height has also been higher in the last two days, which means pollutants are spreading over a greater vertical column of air instead of staying trapped near the surface," he said. The air quality is expected to stay in the very poor category from Oct 23 to 25, with a likelihood of improving slightly to the poor category in the following six days. In Delhi, Anand Vihar, one of the capital's most polluted areas and the first to enter the severe category this season, emerged as the most polluted spot with an AQI of 429 on Wednesday after briefly dropping out of the city's top 10 polluted areas for two days. Other areas that recorded severe air quality were R K Puram, Nehru Nagar, Patparganj and Wazirpur, CPCB data showed. Delhi's air turned very poor on Oct 20, Diwali night. Toxic smoke pushed the city's average hourly PM2.5 concentration to 675µg/m3 at midnight — the highest since 2021, when it had touched 728µg/m3. The safe standard for PM2.5 is 60µg/m3. Though relatively strong winds and warmer-than-usual temperatures the next morning helped prevent a sharper deterioration, the pollution load lingered. The city's AQI edged up to 351 on Tuesday, indicating a slow recovery. Anju Goel, senior fellow and associate director for Air Quality Research at TERI, said the spike between Oct 19 and 21 indicates that firecracker emissions alone contributed to an 18% rise in AQI. "Conventional firecrackers release oxides of sulphur and nitrogen along with fine particulate matter containing harmful metals like copper, lead and cadmium, which severely affect human health and the environment," she said. Goel added that while green firecrackers — introduced following Supreme Court restrictions — can reduce emissions by 20–30%, they are only a partial solution. "It's not a complete fix but a relatively cleaner alternative," she said.

Who is Heera Lal Patel IAS? Meet the bureaucrat who conducts Green Elections

A 2019 study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) revealed that Indian elections can generate around 6,000 metric tonnes of plastic waste from campaign materials alone. In August 2023, the Election Commission of India (ECI) compiled and reissued consolidated instructions for "Green Elections" ahead of Assembly polls in five states. These guidelines reiterated the ECI's long-standing appeals to political parties and candidates to minimise their environmental impact during campaigns. Laying the ground rules, the then chief election commissioner (CEC), Rajiv Kumar, said: "India has now set a new global benchmark for holding environmentally sustainable elections with low carbon footprint.'' What the CEC preached then was picked up by a fellow civil servant, Heera Lal Patel, a UP cadre Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, who can be credited with initiating India’s first Green Election model. "I conducted Green Elections for the first time in June 2024 at the Anandpur Sahib Lok Sabha constituency in Punjab, after the EC’s guidelines were set out. Later that year, in November, I was a returning officer and helped conduct Green Elections in Maharashtra Assembly constituencies, Anushakti Nagar and Chembur,” Patel said.

Small farmers need $443 bn a year to adapt - less than what's spent on harmful farm subsidies

A new analysis reveals that helping small-scale farmers adapt to climate change requires $443 billion annually, less than the $470 billion spent on harmful subsidies. Despite producing half the world's food, smallholders receive minimal climate finance. The report urges redirecting funds to support these farmers, emphasising their role in global food security and ecological sustainability. Helping the world's small-scale family farmers adapt to climate change will cost $443 billion annually, less than the $470 billion governments spend each year on agricultural subsidies that harm people and the planet, according to a new analysis released ahead of COP30 in Brazil. The study by Climate Focus for the Family Farmers fo... Click here to read full article from source https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/small-farmers-need-443-bn-a-year-to-adapt-less-than-whats-spent-on-harmful-farm-subsidies